A Breaking Before Worship
The Gospel of Mark, in chapter fourteen, has the story of an unnamed woman who enters the house of Simon the Leper in Bethany. Jesus was in Simon’s home, reclining at a table, as was the custom of that day, at meal time. This uninvited woman went straight to Jesus with an alabaster flask of costly, fragrant oil in her hands. She broke the flask and poured the oil on His head. But there were some who became indignant and demanded to know why the fragrant oil was wasted and not sold to be given to the poor? They took it upon themselves to criticize her sharply. But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
This woman did what she could for Jesus and He was delighted by her gift. Her offering was an act of love and adoration; it was a selfless act of worshiping Him. What she gave was costly. What she gave was her very best. What she gave angered some and made her subject to sharp criticism, but Jesus Himself came to her defense and commanded that they let her alone. While some saw waste, Jesus commended her for a good work. Her gift was timely; she was there beforehand to anoint His body for burial. She knew of Jesus impending death and burial, but those who dined with Him at the table did not know they would not always have Him. This uninvited woman was led by the Holy Spirit to openly, unashamedly display her love and affection. Some proclaimed their concern for the poor but missed the One in their presence Who was the compassionate, sinless Lamb about to lay His life down.
This woman broke the flask, she poured all of the costly perfume out, she gave it all, there was nothing held back. And by breaking the flask, nothing else could be put back in it, the gift could not be duplicated again, it was a unique gift for only that moment in time, yet, what this uninvited, unnamed woman had done will be told as a lasting memorial to her in many places.
She offered, in her act of worship, the aromatic perfume that came from brokenness. What is your gift of worship that you desire to lavish upon Jesus? Is there something that needs to be broken before you can freely and unashamedly pour out your love and devotion upon Him? Are you afraid of what others might think? Are you holding on to something near and dear to your heart and not willing to let it go? Seek the Lord while He may be found and allow the Holy Spirit to break the ties that bind. Then rejoice as the sweet smelling savor of your worship rises up to the King and He delights in your gift.